What is Ketogenic Diet and How Does it Work?

A keto diet is well known for being a low carb diet where the majority of the macronutrient intake is fats. During the process of high fat intake with minimal carbohydrates, the body naturally produces ketones, which comes from the breakdown of fats in the liver. During this state, the body utilizes ketones as the body’s primary energy source instead of glucose as this impacts the metabolic processes. [1]

Consumers understand the need to take in healthy fats and cut out excessive glucose and sugar; however, most people don't know what this does to your body. On a standard diet where glucose is the primary energy source, the excess quantities of glucose will be stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles. [1] Once a threshold of glycogen is reached, the additional glucose will be stored as body fat. In order to counteract the build up of fat, ketosis begins with the depletion of glycogen, which cause the increase in glyconeogenesis and fat burning; however, at this stage, ketone production is not active yet. Gluconeogenesis is a normal metabolic process that occurs in the liver as non-sugar substrates like glycerol from fatty acids and amino acids from protein are utilized to create glucose. The consumption of fat and protein still allows the body to produce glucose, which prevent excess quantities of glucose being converted to glycogen. After, fat and ketones are used, as the primary source of energy and the excess ketones will be excreted as waste. [2] The process occurs through the breakdown of fat in the liver into glycerol and fatty acids. When acetoacetate is produced during ketogenesis, the acetoacetate is converted into 2 types of ketone bodies: beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and acetone. The BHB can be used by the brain for fuels and acetone is mostly excreted as waste. The end goal of the process is to find an alternative fuel source and cut down on glucose consumption. [2]

Ketosis provides various benefits, including weight control, reduction in blood sugar and insulin level, and elevation in brain function/mental focus. Weight management occurs through the decrease in appetite as numerous studies demonstrate that a low-carb diet will result in few calories intake. [3] A study from American Journal in Clinical Nutrition reveals that a high protein induces sustained reduction in appetite at a constant carbohydrate intake. The lower caloric intake is activated through the satiating effect of circulating leptin in the central nervous system, as the leptin concentration is much lower as an elevated protein intake diet prolongs. Protein and fat provides the ability to produce greater satiety than carbohydrates. [4] A non-fluctuating insulin levels reduce the lust for high glycemic food, which is a definite cardiovascular risk contributor. The ketogenic diet lowers insulin levels with consumption of health fat (HDL) where the fat carry cholesterol away from the body to the liver. [5] Moreover, the low carb meal plan decreases triglycerides, which is strongly linked to heart diseases and is built up through ingestion of simple sugar. [6] In unhealthy individuals who consume processed, high glycemic, or high sodium foods are more likely to face major problem called insulin resistance. [7] During this state, the insulin response is low where it is harder for the body to bring blood sugar into the cells, leading to diseases like type 2 diabetes. On top, these unhealthy foods raise blood pressure where hypertension is responsible heart disease, stroke, or kidney failure. The maintenance of low carbohydrate is key to prevention of cardiovascular diseases through low insulin levels. [8] Without big spikes in blood sugar, people can increase their mental focus. Also, with the high healthy fat intake from the ketogenic diet, the omega-3 and omega-6 will help reduce rates of depression, improve memory, enhance speaking ability, and benefit motor skills. This is why ketogenic diet is used to treat brain disorders. The benefits from a healthier, low carb, high fat diet can be easily overlooked. [9]

After understanding the key benefits of ketones, there are many nutritional restrictions in order to accomplish that. At Suspro Foods, the protein bars fall in line with the diet’s goal as it contains high level of unsaturated fats with sufficient protein levels. With various types of superfood seeds that are all complete proteins, this provide monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat on top of protein. Keto meals contain high amount of healthy fats (70-80% total calories), foods that are high in protein (15-20% of total calories), and low in carbohydrates (5% calories). The main difference between ketogenic diet and other low carb diets are the protein levels as protein can be converted to glucose, which will mess up the ketogenic transformation. [10] Some food examples but not limited to include grass-fed meat, chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, spinach, kale and avocado. [11] Despite the various benefits with the ketogenic diet, a balance and nutritious diet is key to a healthy life.

Mensink, R., Zock, P., Kester, A., Katan, M. (2003). Effects of dietary fatty acids and carbohydrates on the ratio of serum total to HDL cholesterol and on serum lipids and apoliproteins: a meta-analysis of 60 controlled trials. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/77/5/1146/4689813

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